D.C. police report decline in anti-gay hate crimes

Local police report a decrease in bias-related crimes for sexual orientation despite recent investigations in Northwest D.C.

Recent attacks in the Northwest D.C. area were perceived by many as an uptick in bias-related crimes. The Metro Police Department reported that’s simply not the case. 

Local police report a decrease in bias-related crimes pertaining to sexual orientation, despite recent investigations. 

MPD data released their latest data set in October, showing bias-related crimes related to sexual orientation have actually decreased since 2022. There have been 22 crimes through October 31, 2024. 

“[The department] is seeing a decrease in all crime,” Tom Lynch, supervisory public affairs specialist for MPD, said. “We’ve seen crime come down in nearly every category.” 

One case that MPD is still investigating as “potentially being motivated by hate or bias” occurred earlier in October, according to MPD. Sebastian Thomas Robles Lascarro stopped at a McDonald’s located on the corner of 14th Street and U Street and was confronted by a woman in line behind him for not saying “excuse me.” 

When Lascarro tried to leave the restaurant, multiple people blocked the door and insisted he apologize to the woman. According to a police report, multiple people then started assaulting Lascarro and screaming homophobic slurs at him. One suspect reportedly said, “I’m going to teach you how to say sorry, f- – – – -.”

On November 5, one 16-year-old male was arrested and charged with assault with significant bodily injury. Multiple suspects were caught by nearby surveillance cameras and are still being searched for by MPD. 

The case is still being investigated as a potential hate crime. However, Lynch said the designation can “be changed at any point as an investigation proceeds and more information is gathered.”

“A designation as a hate crime by MPD does not mean prosecutors will prosecute it as a hate crime,” Lynch said. 

In August, local police investigated an attack outside of a Shake Shack in Dupont Circle. According to police reports obtained by The Wash, Christian Dingus was attacked by multiple people and received EMS care for injuries to his jaw and face. 

Dingus told NBC Washington the incident started after one of the restaurant employees aggressively responded to him asking where his food was. His partner, an unidentified male, pulled himself aside and gave Dingus a kiss to diffuse the situation. 

Both Dingus and his partner were escorted out of the restaurant by employees. Employees wearing Shake Shack uniforms were also seen hitting Dingus outside, as previously reported by NBC Washington. 

While the incident was intially suspected as an “anti-gay” hate crime, according to a previous police report, it is no longer being investigated as a bias-related crime. Lynch said findings of the investigation did not find the offense was motivated by bias. 

There have not been any arrests made in the case. 

As previously reported by The Wash, the number of hate crimes in the District reached a new high in 2018. Based on mid-year data, 2019 was on track to meet or exceed those numbers. 

Aside from law enforcement, several other government agencies are attempting to prevent hate crimes across the District. The DC Office of Human Rights, as also previously reported by The Wash, has been working to respond to hate crimes since 2017. 

James Yu, associate director of communications and equity for the office, said the Office of Human Rights cannot disclose details regarding individual complaints. 

“We continually work with the Mayor’s Office Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning Affairs, local LGBTQIA+ organizations and partners to provide OHR’s training on the 23 Protected Traits in the District,” Yu said. 

A number of LGBTQIA+ organizations and advocacy groups contacted by The Wash declined to comment regarding D.C. hate crime numbers.